Metformin: Its Action and Effects on Diabetes and PCOS
Posted 02-06-2009 at 04:17 AM by ladypam
Metformin, also known as Glucophage, Fortamet, Obimet, Glumetza, Diabex, Dianben, Diaformin and Riomet is an oral medication extracted from French lilac for the treatment of type 2 diabetes with insulin resistance and other conditions including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It is often prescribed for diabetic individuals, especially those prone to having heart conditions or weight problems since it is found to decrease the risk of developing those conditions by lowering levels of cholesterol and trigylcerides. It is also popular among diabetics since it does not cause hypoglycemia to occur, unlike other diabetes medications. However, Metformin is not for people who already suffer from kidney, liver, and lung disease or any other disease where an elevated risk of lactic acidosis poses a risk.
How does Metformin work? A person with a non-insulin dependent type-2 diabetes has elevated blood sugar levels, together with high levels of insulin. This happens because insulin is produced when blood sugar is elevated. Unfortunately, the cells are found resistant to insulin, thus not absorbing the glucose as it normally should, therefore both are elevated in the blood. Blood sugar is elevated even more since the liver cells are stimulated to produce more sugar because of the increase in insulin.
Metformin works through increasing the uptake of glucose into the cells, through a transport cellular system. It also increases the sensitivity of the cells to insulin, thus decreasing levels of insulin, as well as sugar in the blood. Concomitantly, Metformin also stimulates the action of AMPK (AMP activated protein kinase), an enzyme responsible for glucose and fat metabolism as well as insulin signaling. When active in the blood, it inhibits the production of glucose from the liver and makes the cells more susceptible to insulin, thus keeping levels of sugar down. It is also seen to help in the metabolism of fat, lowering its levels in the blood, thus possibly producing weight loss.
Furthermore, Metformin, when taken by itself, poses no danger of producing hypoglycemia as compared to other oral anti-diabetics in the market. It also has a lower risk of developing lactic acidosis since it is not metabolized in the liver, but rather excreted in the urine.
Aside from being used to treat type 2 diabetes, Metformin is also used to treat women with polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS. This condition occurs because of an imbalance of the hormones in the body. A normal ovary produces little amounts of testosterone. With PCOS, it produces more testosterone, leading to a cessation of ovulation and other side effects. Also, insulin resistance is a characteristic of PCOS, increasing the risk of developing diabetes with high levels of insulin in the blood, that also stimulates the ovaries to produce more testosterone. Metformin lowers down insulin in the blood, thus lowering glucose levels and testosterone levels which can promote ovulation. Women diagnosed with PCOS, who also have a body mass index of more than 25 are often recommended to take Metformin, especially when other medications have failed to work and they are trying to conceive.
The most common side effect of Metformin is gastrointestinal disturbances. Less serious side effects of Metformin include abdominal pains, chest pains, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, etc. It is often given alone or with other medications, depending on the condition it is being treated. It has also been seen to be quite successful in regulating blood and insulin levels, as well as hormones.
How does Metformin work? A person with a non-insulin dependent type-2 diabetes has elevated blood sugar levels, together with high levels of insulin. This happens because insulin is produced when blood sugar is elevated. Unfortunately, the cells are found resistant to insulin, thus not absorbing the glucose as it normally should, therefore both are elevated in the blood. Blood sugar is elevated even more since the liver cells are stimulated to produce more sugar because of the increase in insulin.
Metformin works through increasing the uptake of glucose into the cells, through a transport cellular system. It also increases the sensitivity of the cells to insulin, thus decreasing levels of insulin, as well as sugar in the blood. Concomitantly, Metformin also stimulates the action of AMPK (AMP activated protein kinase), an enzyme responsible for glucose and fat metabolism as well as insulin signaling. When active in the blood, it inhibits the production of glucose from the liver and makes the cells more susceptible to insulin, thus keeping levels of sugar down. It is also seen to help in the metabolism of fat, lowering its levels in the blood, thus possibly producing weight loss.
Furthermore, Metformin, when taken by itself, poses no danger of producing hypoglycemia as compared to other oral anti-diabetics in the market. It also has a lower risk of developing lactic acidosis since it is not metabolized in the liver, but rather excreted in the urine.
Aside from being used to treat type 2 diabetes, Metformin is also used to treat women with polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS. This condition occurs because of an imbalance of the hormones in the body. A normal ovary produces little amounts of testosterone. With PCOS, it produces more testosterone, leading to a cessation of ovulation and other side effects. Also, insulin resistance is a characteristic of PCOS, increasing the risk of developing diabetes with high levels of insulin in the blood, that also stimulates the ovaries to produce more testosterone. Metformin lowers down insulin in the blood, thus lowering glucose levels and testosterone levels which can promote ovulation. Women diagnosed with PCOS, who also have a body mass index of more than 25 are often recommended to take Metformin, especially when other medications have failed to work and they are trying to conceive.
The most common side effect of Metformin is gastrointestinal disturbances. Less serious side effects of Metformin include abdominal pains, chest pains, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, etc. It is often given alone or with other medications, depending on the condition it is being treated. It has also been seen to be quite successful in regulating blood and insulin levels, as well as hormones.
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